title: Assessment of risk evaluation and mitigation strategies in oncology: summary of the oncology risk evaluation and mitigation strategies workshop.
abstract: To address oncology community stakeholder concerns regarding implementation of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program, ASCO sponsored a workshop to gather REMS experiences from representatives of professional societies, patient organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Stakeholder presentations and topical panel discussions addressed REMS program development, implementation processes, and practice experiences, as well as oncology drug safety processes. A draft REMS decision tool prepared by the ASCO REMS Steering Committee was presented for group discussion with facilitated, goal-oriented feedback. THE WORKSHOP IDENTIFIED SEVERAL UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM CURRENT ONCOLOGY REMS: (1) the release of personal health information to drug sponsors as a condition for gaining access to a needed drug; (2) risk information that is not tailored-and therefore not accessible-to all literacy levels; (3) exclusive focus on drug risk, thereby affecting patient-provider treatment discussion; (4) REMS elements that do not consider existing, widely practiced oncology safety standards, professional training, and experience; and (5) administrative burdens that divert the health care team from direct patient care activities and, in some cases, could limit patient access to important therapies. Increased provider and professional society participation should form the basis of ongoing and future REMS standardization discussions with the FDA to work toward overall improvement of risk communication.
authors.affiliation: David Lee Cancer Center, Charleston Area Health Center Medical Systems, Charleston, WV, USA.
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Frame
authors.forename: Joseph O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Wendy H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Niesha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Darshan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wariabharaj
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zon
authors.forename: Cyntha L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bialecki
authors.forename: Suanna S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bruinooge
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D060735:Pharmacovigilance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012308:Risk Management; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents